Poultry enclosure

ABSTRACT

A poultry enclosure for live poultry consisting of an open frame in which are pivoted one or more series of vertically spaced apart trays for poultry, each tray being pivotally movable from a horizontal position to a tilted position in which poultry slides or tumbles from the lower edge thereof, each tray having peripheral side walls to assist in confining poultry thereon, and each higher tray serving as a cover for the next lower tray to complete the confinement, the side wall at the edge of the tray which is lowermost when the tray is tilted being automatically released when the tray is tilted to permit egress of poultry.

United States Patent 1 Sanders Nov. 27, 1973 POULTRY ENCLOSURE [76]inventor: Dickerson H. Sanders, 170 Stanton Way, Athens, Ga.

[22] Filed: July 31, 1972 211 App]. No.: 276,653

[52] US. Cl. 119/17 [51] Int. Cl A0lk 31/00 [58] Field of Search ll9/l7,12

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,621,818 11/1971 Johnstoneta] 119/17 3,695,232 l0/l972 Frank 119/17 Primary Examinerl-lugh R.Chamblee Attorney-John A. Hamilton [57] ABSTRACT A poultry enclosure forlive poultry consisting of an open frame in which are pivoted one ormore series of 1 vertically spaced apart trays for poultry, each traybeing pivotally movable from a horizontal position to a tilted positionin which poultry slides or tumbles from the lower edge thereof, eachtray having peripheral side walls to assist in confining poultrythereon, and each higher tray serving as a cover for the next lower trayto complete the confinement, the side wall at the edge of the tray whichis lowermost when the tray is tilted being automatically released whenthe tray is tilted to permit egress of poultry.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Nov. 27, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Patented Nov. 27, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 27, 1973 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 27, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 POULTRY ENCLOSUREThis invention relates to new and useful improvements in poultryhandling equipment, and has particular reference to an enclosure forlive poultry for temporary compact detention and confinement of saidpoultry whenever desired. For example, the enclosure may be mounted on atruck bed to serve as a means for transporting poultry from a poultryproducing form to a poultry processing plant, or as a fixed installationat the processing plant as temporary storage means for the poultrypending readiness of the processing lines of the plant to receive it.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a poultryenclosure into which the poultry may be inserted, and from which thepoultry may be removed, with no necessity that said poultry need ever betouched or handled by human operators. To this end, the enclosureconsists of a number of shelves or trays each adapted to receive livepoultry thereon from any suitable conveyor, and from which the poultrymay be removed, also to a suitable conveyor, simply by tilting saidtrays to a sufficient degree that the poultry slides or tumblestherefrom by gravity.

Another object is the provision of a poultry enclosure of the generalcharacter described having novel means for releasing poultry from eachtray when said tray is tilted. This means includes a side wall at theside of each tray which is lowermost when said tray is tilted, said sidewall being movable to an inoperative position not obstructing dischargeof poultry from the tray, but having releasable fastening means normallysecuring it in an operative position. Release of this fastening meansoccurs automatically whenever the tray is tilted.

A further object is the provision of a poultry enclosure of thecharacter described which makes maximum use of available space forenclosing a maximum quantity of poultry. To this end the trays arearranged in vertical series, spaced apart only as much as required forpoultry of the size to be confined, and poultry is discharged by tiltingthe trays sequentially from the top of the series downwardly. Each traythus supports the next higher tray of the series, and serves as a coverfor the next lower tray of the series.

Other objects are simplicity and economy of construction, efficiency anddependability of operation, and adaptability for enclosing and confiningsmall animals other than poultry.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appearin the course of the specification, reference will be wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a poultry enclosure embodying thepresent invention, with all of the trays in their horizontal positions,

FIG. 2 is a reduced sectional view taken on line II-ll of FIG. 1, with aportion of the trays elevated to their inclined positions,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III-III of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line lV-IV ofFIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line VV of FIG. 2, withall of the trays in their horizontal positions,

- FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line VI-VIof FIG. 1, showing one of the outer side walls of one of the trayssecured closed in solid lines, and released in dotted lines, and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line VIIVIIof FIG. 6.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the severalviews, and the numeral 2 applies generally to the frame of the device.Said frame is open and is generally rectilinear in form, including fourvertical comer posts 4 rigidly connected at their lower ends byhorizontal longitudinal bars 6 and horizontal cross bars 8. Longitudinalbars 6 may also be connected by intermediate cross bars 10. The cornerposts 4 at each end of the frame are connected at their upper ends by ahorizontal cross bar 12, and by a second horizontal cross bar 14 spacedbelow cross bar 12. Each end of thefrarne is closed by a vertical endwall 16 affixed to the associated corner posts, said end wall preferablybeing formed of screen wire mesh for purposes of ventilation. At eachside of the frame, the corner posts 4 at that side are rigidly connectedby a series of horizontal, vertically spaced apart bars 18.

A tray or shelf 20, which is planar, rectangular, and formed of plywoodor any other suitable material, is carried by each bar 18 at each sideof the frame, except the topmost bar 18, and by the longitudinal bar 6at each side of the frame. The outer edge of each tray is parallel tothe bar on which it is mounted,-and is pivoted to said bar by hinge 22for pivotal movement on the axis parallel to said bar. Each tray may bepivoted from a horizontal position as shown in the lower portion of FIG.2, upwardly to an inclined position, as shown in the upper portion ofFIG. 2. Each tray is of such length that its ends are disposed parallelto and closely adjacent end walls 16 of the frame, and of such widththat when horizontal, it extends slightly less than half the width ofthe frame. Also, each tray extends transversely outwardly from the axisof its hinges 22, so that the projecting portion is lowered when itsmajor portion is raised, for a purpose to be described. When the traysare horizontal, each tray except the lowermost tray serves as a coverfor the next lower tray, to assist in confining poultry in said nextlower tray. A cover 24 had to the accompanying drawing,

for the topmost tray at each side of the frame, and constituting aplanar sheet of plywood or the like, is hinged as at 26 to the topmostframe bar 18 at that side of the frame. Each cover 24 is substantiallyequal in area to each of trays 20.

To complete the means for confining poultry on the trays, each tray isprovided with side and end walls substantially surrounding the entireperiphery thereof. The

end walls are provided by screens '16 affixed to the frame, each screenserving as an end wall for the adjacent ends of all the trays. However,an angle iron 38 with an upstanding leg is secured along each end edgeof each tray, both to prevent the poultry from inserting feet betweenthe edge of the tray and screen 16, and to stiffen the tray. Each trayalso has an inner side wallindicated generally at 28, and an outer sidewall indicated generally at 30.

Each inner side wall 28 consists of a series of vertical posts 32 spacedalong the inner edge of the tray and rigidly joined by longitudinal barsor boards 34 extending parallel to the associated tray edge. Said innerside wall is pivoted at its lower edge to the tray edge by hinges 36,for movement outwardly of said tray on an axis parallel to the tray edgeas indicated in FIG. 2. Also, for a purpose to be described, each innerside wall 28 has a pair of downwardly opening hooks 40 affixed to theinner side thereof and adjacent the upper edge thereof. Each side wall28 constitutes an open frame by reason of its posts 32 and bars 34, butis covered by a screen wire mesh 42 to prevent passage of poultrytherethrough, and to provide ventilation. Each side wall 28 has avertical height equal to the vertical spacing between the trays when thetrays are horizontal, and thus serves as a support for the free edge ofthe next higher tray. The lowermost tray of each series is supporteddirectly by cross bars of the frame.

The outer side wall 30 of each tray also constitutes an open frameformed of bars, for providing free ventilation, but wires 44 may bestretched thereacross to prevent the egress of poultry therethrough.Each of said outer side walls constitutes a door. It is, however, notattached directly to the tray with which it is associated, but insteadis pivoted at its upper edge, as by hinges 46, to the frame bar 18 towhich the next higher tray is povoted. The lower edge of each door 30 isspaced slightly above the tray with which it is associated. Attached toone of the vertical bars 30A of each door 30, as by a bolt 48, isdepending latch finger 50 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), said bolt engaging avertical slot 52 in the arms 54 of said latch finger which embrace bar30A of the door, whereby said latch finger can move vertically relativeto the door. In the lowermost position of the latch finger, its lowerend just clears the upper surface of the associated tray, and isengaged, at its outer side, by an upstanding latch keeper 54 affixed tothe tray immediately therebeneath, thus securing the door closed.However, keeper 54 is attached to the portion of the tray disposedtransversely outwardly from the axis of tray hinges 22, and is thuslowered when the inner edge of the tray is elevated, thereby beinglowered out of engagement with latch finger 50 and permitting the doorto pivot outwardly. It pivots slightly outwardly by gravity, due to theplacement of hinges 46, but can be pivoted still further outwardly bythe weight of poultry against its inner side as said poultry slides ortumbles from the tilted tray. When the tray is again lowered to itshorizontal position, the latch does not reengage automatically, but thedoor can be closed manually, the lower end of the latch finger beingbevelled as indicated at 56 to permit it to be cammed upwardly and passover keeper 54.

At each end of frame 2, a pair of tubular guides 58 are welded orotherwise affixed to cross bars 12 and 14 of the frame. Said guides aregenerally vertical, respec tively at opposite sides of the longitudinalmidline of the frame, and each guide carries slidably therein anelongated post 60, at the upper end of which is affixed a horizontal pin62 which extends inwardly over the topmost trays, longitudinally of theframe. By sliding posts 60 in guides 58, pins 62 may be lowered nearlyto the level of the top of the frame, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, orelevated well above the frame, as shown in FIG. 2. Each pin may belocked in its lowered or its elevated position by inserting a bolt 64through matching holes of its associated guide 58 and post 60.

In operation, to load the enclosure with poultry, covers 24 and thetopmost trays at each side of the frame are pivoted upwardly to theirinclined positions as shown in FIG. 2, and the hooks 40 of said topmosttrays are engaged over the associated pins 62, which have previouslybeen raised to their elevated position by the extension of posts 60 inguides 58, and secured by bolts 64. Said posts are normally retracteddownwardly to decrease the overall height of the enclosure, especiallywhen the enclosure is mounted on a truck bed, in order to maintain theenclosure within the overall height permitted by highway regulations.The hooks 40 of the topmost trays are disposed closely adjacent theextreme ends of the trays as indicated in FIG. 5, in order to align themwith pins 62. The lower trays 20 are then inclined upwardly in sequence,alternately at opposite sides of the frame, in each case engaging thehooks 40 of the tray being elevated over the free inner edge of the nexthigher tray, which has been previously raised. The formation of theinner side walls 28 of the trays, as shown, leaves the free inner edgesof the trays unobstructed for engagement by the hooks. The hooks 40 ofall the trays except those uppermost may be spaced inwardly from theends of the trays, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 5, for better weightdistribution. As each tray is elevated, its outer side wall 30 isunlatched and swings outwardly to some degree, as previously described,so as not to interfere with the upward pivoting of the tray, and itsinner side wall 28 also is pivoted outwardly, relative to the tray.These movements of the side walls permit the trays to be moved into muchcloser relation, normally to their planes, without interfe rence fromthe said sidewalls. When all of the trays except the lowermost tray ateach side of the frame have been raised and hooked in position as justdescribed, the enclosure is ready for loading with poultry. The traysmay be raised manually by a human operator standing within theenclosure, the interior portion of which becomes unobstructed as thetrays are raised. Said operator may stand on the uppermost tray not yetinclined, at the side of the frame opposite to that of the next tray tobe inclined.

The enclosure may be loaded by any suitable conveyor, not shown, butwhich may for example, include a conveyor belt discharging poultry at apoint above the enclosure, into the upper end of a flexible tubularsleeve or spout, the lower end of which is guided by the operator todistribute the poultry evenly over the area of each tray. When thelowermost trays are filled, the next higher trays are lowered to theirhorizontal positions, alternately at opposite sides of the frame, and inturn filled with poultry, until all of the trays are loaded. As eachtray is lowered, its outer side wall or door 30 must be manually latchedin its closed position, as previously described, and its inner side wall28 serves as a support for the next higher tray when that tray islowered.

The enclosure may be unloaded by substantially reversing the loadingprocedure described above. That is, it is unloaded one tray at a timefrom the top down, at alternatelyopposite sides of the frame, byinclining each tray in sequence to the positions shown in the upperportion of FIG. 2, and securing it by its hooks 40 in the inclinedposition. If each tray is about 4 feet by 8 feet in size, as presentlycontemplated, then the elevation of its inner edge, when it is fullyloaded with poultry, may require about 500 pounds of lifting force, andtherefore some type of power assist is required. This may be supplied bysome type of crane or winch, not shown, disposed above the enclosure andengageable in the hooks 40 of each tray when that tray is to beelevated. As each tray is pivoted upwardly, its outer side wall or door30 is automatically unlatched, as already described, and swings open tosome degree by gravity. When the inclination of the tray is sufficientlygreat, poultry will slide or tumble therefrom by gravity, beingdischarged from the outer edge of the tray, its weight pushing door 30open to a still greater extent if necessary. Actual tests show thatpoultry will begin to slide on the tray, 'provided it is reasonablysmooth, when its inclination reaches about 30 degrees from horizontal,and that the poultry will lose equilibrum and tumble from the tray whenits inclination reaches about 40 degrees, regardless of the smoothnessof the tray. As shown, the trays incline to about 60 degrees fromhorizontal, thus guaranteeing the discharge of the poultry before thetray reaches maximum inclination and approaches the next higher tray.

As the poultry is discharged from the outer edge of each tray, it may bereceived on a conveyor belt, not shown, running longitudinally of theenclosure at the side thereof. Preferably there are provided two suchconveyors, respectively at opposite sides of the enclosure, though notmounted thereon, and said conveyors are vertically movable to bepositioned adjacent each tray. However, these conveyors as well as thepreviously mentioned loading conveyor and power winch fot tilting theloaded trays, are not per se elements of the enclosure as such, andhence are not shown or described in detail.

While the number and size of the trays included are largely matters ofchoice and design, it will be noted that if each tray is about 4 X 8feet in size, then the horizontal dimensions of the enclosure, as shownin FIG. 3, will be about 8 X 8 feet, and two or more such enclo suresmay be mounted in end-to-end relation on the bed of an ordinary flat-bedtruck, while, remaining within the usual 8-foot width limitation imposedby highway regulations. Also, if a vertical spacing between trays of 10inches is maintained, and this spacing has been found adequate for formost poultry, then each side of the enclosure may carry about 12 or 13trays, and still remain within the total height limitations usuallyrequired in highway travel.

While I have shown and described a specific form of my invention, itwill be readily apparent that many minor changes of structure andoperation could be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A poultry enclosure comprising:

a. a frame,

b. a generally planar tray pivotally mounted in said frame for movementbetween a horizontal position and an inclined position, in the latter ofwhich positions poultry on said tray will slide therefrom,

0. means operable to confine poultry to said tray while said tray is inits horizontal position, and

d. means operable automatically in response to inclination of said trayto release said confining means, whereby when said tray is inclined saidconfining means is released and any poultry on said tray will slidetherefrom.

2. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 1 wherein said confiningmeans includes:

a. an upstanding side wall at the side of said tray which is lowermostwhen said tray is inclined, said side wall being movably mounted formovement position not obstructing poultry egress from that side of saidtray,

b. fastening means normally securing said side wall in its operativeposition, said release means being operable to release said fasteningmeans.

3. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 2 wherein said side wall ispivotally mounted at its upper edge on an axis parallel to the plane ofsaid tray in all positions of said tray, whereby when said side wallfastening means is released, said side wall will be pivoted outwardly,to permit egress of poultry, by the weight poultry. said pouldty.

4. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 3 wherein said side wall ispivotally connected at its upper edge to said frame.

5. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 4 wherein said fasteningmeans includes cooperating latch members carried respectively by saidtray and said side wall,

said latch members being movable to a disengaged position to releasesaid side wall by movement of said tray relative to said side wall assaid tray is moved from its horizontal to its inclined position.

6. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 5 wherein said fasteningmeans comprises:

a. a latch finger carried by said side wall and depending therefrom to apoint adjacent said tray,

. b. an upstanding latch keeper mounted on said tray and engaging saidlatch finger to prevent outward pivoting of said side wall but beingdisengaged from said finger by downward movement thereof, said keeperbeing transversely offset from the pivotal axis of said tray at the sideof said axis opposite from the major portion of said tray, whereby to belowered out of engagement with said finger, when clined position.

7. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 6 wherein said latch fingeris vertically movable relative to its associated side wall, whereby tobe engageable with said latch keeper when the associated tray is in itshorizontal position.

8. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 2 including a series of saidtrays mounted in said frame in vertically spaced apart relation, wherebyeach tray except the lowermost tray, serves as a cover for the nextlower tray, and hence serves as a portion of the confining means of saidnext lower tray, and-whereby upward inclination of any tray providesaccess to the next lower tray for depositing poultry therein.

9. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 8 with the addition of agenerally planar cover pivoted to said frarne in spaced relation abovethe uppermost of said series of trays on an axis parallel to the pivotalaxis of said uppermost tray, whereby to serve as a cover for saiduppermost tray while permitting inclination thereof.

10. A poultry enclosure comprising:

a. a frame,

b. a series of generally rectangular trays mounted in i said frame invertically spaced apart relation, each tray being pivoted to said frameon an axis adjacent one edge thereof for movement between a horizontalposition and an inclined position, in th latter of which positionspoultry on said tray will slide therefrom, c. means operable to confinepoultry to said trays while said trays are in their horizontalpositions, each of said trays, except the lowermost tray,

serving as a cover for the next lower tray to serve as a portion of saidconfining means for said next lower tray, the confining means for eachtray also including an upstanding side wall at the side of said traywhich is lowermost when said said tray is inclined, said side wall beingmovably mounted for movement between an operative position obstructingegress of poultry from that side of the tray to an inoperative positionnot obstructing poultry egress from that side of the tray, fasteningmeans normally securing said side wall in its operative position, and asecond upstanding side wall attached to the free edge of said trayopposite the pivoted edge thereof, and d. means operable to release saidfastening means of the movable side wall of each tray, whereby when saidtray is inclined and the fastening means of its associated movable sidewall is released, any poultry on said tray will slide therefrom.

11. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 10 wherein said poultryconfining means additionally includes a pair of vertical end wallscarried fixedly by said frame, said end walls being disposedrespectively adjacent the edges of said trays extending normally to thepivotal axes of said trays, whereby to serve as confining end walls forall said trays.

12. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 10 wherein the said secondside wall of each of said trays serves as a support for the free edgeportion of the next higher tray in said series of trays.

13. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 10 wherein said second sidewall of each tray is pivoted at its lower edge to said tray for outwardmovement relative to said tray, on an axis parallel to the pivotalconnection of said tray to said frame, whereby said trays' may beinclined upwardly, and hence moved into closer relation to each other,without interference by said second side walls.

14. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 8 with the addition of:

a. support members carried by said frame and operable to engage andsupport the uppermost tray of said series of trays when it is moved toits inclined position, and

b. attachment means carried by each lower tray and operable, when eachsuch tray is moved to its inclined position, to engage and be supportedby the previously inclined next higher tray of the series.

. 15. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 13 with the addition of:

a. downwardly opening hook members carried the said second side wall ofeach of said trays, at the inner surface and adjacent the upper edge ofsaid wall, the hooks of each of said second side walls,

except those of the uppermost tray, being operable when the associatedtray is inclined, to engage downwardly over the free edge of thepreviously inclined next higher tray of the series, and

b. rigid support members carried by said frame and operable to beengaged by the hooks associated with the uppermost tray of said seriesof trays when said trays are inclined.

1. A poultry enclosure comprising: a. a frame, b. a generally planartray pivotally mounted in said frame for movement between a horizontalposition and an inclined position, in the latter of which positionspoultry on said tray will slide therefrom, c. means operable to confinepoultry to said tray while said tray is in its horizontal position, andd. means operable automatically in response to inclination of said trayto release said confining means, whereby when said tray is inclined saidconfining means is released and any poultry on said tray will slidetherefrom.
 2. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 1 wherein saidconfining means includes: a. an upstanding side wall at the side of saidtray which is lowermost when said tray is inclined, said side wall beingmovably mounted for movement between an operative position obstructingegress of poultry from that side of the tray to an inoperative positionnot obstructing poultry egress from that side of said tray, b. fasteningmeans normally securing said side wall in its operative position, saidrelease means being operable to release said fastening means.
 3. Apoultry enclosure as recited in claim 2 wherein said side wall ispivotally mounted at its upper edge on an axis parallel to the plane ofsaid tray in all positions of said tray, whereby when said side wallfastening means is released, said side wall will be pivoted outwardly,to permit egress of poultry, by the weight poultry. said pouldty.
 4. Apoultry enclosure as recited in claim 3 wherein said side wall ispivotally connected at its upper edge to said frame.
 5. A poultryenclosure as recited in claim 4 wherein said fastening means includescooperating latch members carried respectively by said tray and saidside wall, said latch members being movable to a disengaged position torelease said side wall by movement of said tray relative to said sidewall as said tray is moved from its horizontal to its inclined position.6. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 5 wherein said fasteningmeans comprises: a. a latch finger carried by said side wall anddepending therefrom to a point adjacent said tray, b. an upstandinglatch keeper mounted on said tray and engaging said latch finger toprevent outward pivoting of said side wall but being disengaged fromsaid finger by downward movement thereof, said keeper being transverselyoffset from the pivotal axis of said tray at the side of said axisopposite from the major portIon of said tray, whereby to be lowered outof engagement with said finger, when the major portion of said tray iselevated to its inclined position.
 7. A poultry enclosure as recited inclaim 6 wherein said latch finger is vertically movable relative to itsassociated side wall, whereby to be engageable with said latch keeperwhen the associated tray is in its horizontal position.
 8. A poultryenclosure as recited in claim 2 including a series of said trays mountedin said frame in vertically spaced apart relation, whereby each trayexcept the lowermost tray, serves as a cover for the next lower tray,and hence serves as a portion of the confining means of said next lowertray, and whereby upward inclination of any tray provides access to thenext lower tray for depositing poultry therein.
 9. A poultry enclosureas recited in claim 8 with the addition of a generally planar coverpivoted to said frame in spaced relation above the uppermost of saidseries of trays on an axis parallel to the pivotal axis of saiduppermost tray, whereby to serve as a cover for said uppermost traywhile permitting inclination thereof.
 10. A poultry enclosurecomprising: a. a frame, b. a series of generally rectangular traysmounted in said frame in vertically spaced apart relation, each traybeing pivoted to said frame on an axis adjacent one edge thereof formovement between a horizontal position and an inclined position, in thlatter of which positions poultry on said tray will slide therefrom, c.means operable to confine poultry to said trays while said trays are intheir horizontal positions, each of said trays, except the lowermosttray, serving as a cover for the next lower tray to serve as a portionof said confining means for said next lower tray, the confining meansfor each tray also including an upstanding side wall at the side of saidtray which is lowermost when said said tray is inclined, said side wallbeing movably mounted for movement between an operative positionobstructing egress of poultry from that side of the tray to aninoperative position not obstructing poultry egress from that side ofthe tray, fastening means normally securing said side wall in itsoperative position, and a second upstanding side wall attached to thefree edge of said tray opposite the pivoted edge thereof, and d. meansoperable to release said fastening means of the movable side wall ofeach tray, whereby when said tray is inclined and the fastening means ofits associated movable side wall is released, any poultry on said traywill slide therefrom.
 11. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 10wherein said poultry confining means additionally includes a pair ofvertical end walls carried fixedly by said frame, said end walls beingdisposed respectively adjacent the edges of said trays extendingnormally to the pivotal axes of said trays, whereby to serve asconfining end walls for all said trays.
 12. A poultry enclosure asrecited in claim 10 wherein the said second side wall of each of saidtrays serves as a support for the free edge portion of the next highertray in said series of trays.
 13. A poultry enclosure as recited inclaim 10 wherein said second side wall of each tray is pivoted at itslower edge to said tray for outward movement relative to said tray, onan axis parallel to the pivotal connection of said tray to said frame,whereby said trays may be inclined upwardly, and hence moved into closerrelation to each other, without interference by said second side walls.14. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 8 with the addition of: a.support members carried by said frame and operable to engage and supportthe uppermost tray of said series of trays when it is moved to itsinclined position, and b. attachment means carried by each lower trayand operable, when each such tray is moved to its inclined position, toengage and be supported by the previously inclined next higher tray ofthe series.
 15. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim 13 with theaddition of: a. downwardly opening hook members carried the said secondside wall of each of said trays, at the inner surface and adjacent theupper edge of said wall, the hooks of each of said second side walls,except those of the uppermost tray, being operable when the associatedtray is inclined, to engage downwardly over the free edge of thepreviously inclined next higher tray of the series, and b. rigid supportmembers carried by said frame and operable to be engaged by the hooksassociated with the uppermost tray of said series of trays when saiduppermost tray is inclined.
 16. A poultry enclosure as recited in claim10 including two of said vertically spaced apart series of trays mountedin said frame on parallel pivotal axes, the distal edges of the trays ofthe two series being pivoted to said frame, while their contiguous edgesconstitute their free edges movable upwardly and outwardly as said traysare inclined.